To ensure your sewing machine will work properly for a long time some rules should be followed while choosing a right device.
No portables
The variety of sewing machines on the market is huge, and there are a lot of quite affordable models among them which are manual and portable. If you don’t have experience of sewing on a machine, you can assume that you can buy a portable device that works as well as the full-featured one. However, it might be a big mistake. Despite the commercial promises, a range of problems can occur while using manual or portable machines. Firstly, they sew very inaccurately—they might skip the stitch, tear the thread or, on the contrary, tense the thread weakly, so the stitch would be curvy. They also can make unevenly spaced stitching, so it is almost impossible to obtain a professionally made sewing. Aside from that, portable machines have very little space between the needle and the needle plate, that’s why raising or lowing the presser foot or setting the fabric with your right hand is impossible—the hand just doesn’t get into.
Portable sewing machine
Manual sewing machines are also uneasy to use. If you use a portable device, you have your hands free, but sewing on a manual one, you have to stitch keeping the device in one hand while holding the fabric and pushing the button, which starts sewing with the other hand at the same time. Therefore, a nice stitch can’t be made even by an experienced sewer. That is why, if you choose your first sewing machine, don’t consider portable models. Buying such a device can be reasonable if it is a present for a little girl who wants to dress her dolls: the kid is happy, the price is not high, and if it breaks, it won’t be a big problem.
Heavy and easy
To make your sewing process safe, the machine should weigh about 11 pounds or more. Actually, being light in weight is not an advantage of a good sewing machine since you don’t carry it a lot. In most cases, you put it on the table and the weight of the machine will make the vibration less. A heavy machine will never fall off the table during the process, which means it won’t spoil the fabric or injure you.
One device—one function
When choosing household appliances and computer devices, it is often reasonable to use one device for one function. It means that it’s not worth buying devices which combine capabilities of several different machines. A good example of it can be an All-in-one printer that compounds a printer, a scanner and a copier. At first, it seems great to buy three functions for the price of one. In fact, after a while active users buy separate units, firstly printer, then scanner, and, if necessary, a copier.
The same principle should apply to the sewing machines. It’s understandable when a buyer wants to pay less and get more, however, it’s often reasonable to follow logic of functionality, so a sewing machine is for sewing, an overlock serger is for overcasting, a cover stitch machine is for sewing knitwear, and an embroidery machine is for creating embroidery designs. Therefore, when choosing a right machine you don’t have to look for a device with a capability of stitching knitwear fabric and covering stitching which are not so necessary for a beginner in sewing. The less functions the device has the more reliably it works.
Expensive doesn’t mean better
A sewing machine is a special household appliance. For example, if we’re considering buying a TV or a camera, in most cases the more expensive it is, the better it works. However, sewing machines don’t follow that principle. The price of the machine depends on the variety of functions it has. A machine with 10 features will be cheaper than the one with 1000 features, but a simple stitch will be made equally well on both. Most likely, you will not say which zigzag stitch was made on a cheap or a very expensive machine. So, it is necessary to balance the price you are ready to pay and the set of functions it contains.
Now it’s important to decide what features you can possibly do without.
Arm-free feature. As a rule, a novice needs a while to start sewing something with sleeves, so this function should not be decisive. Of course, arm-free plate makes working with narrow pieces of fabric easier, but you can sew on the sleeves without it.
Embroidery features. Inexpensive machines include limited number of operations. So, if you seriously want to create embroidery patterns, it’s better to purchase special equipment.
Overlock stitch. Unfortunately, this function only makes a visible stitch which is not as good as made on a special serger. Besides, it doesn’t cut the edge so you’ll have to do it with the scissors.
Blind hem stitch. If you don’t have to finish hams commercially, you can do without it.
Automatic needle threader. This feature is quite convenient , but you won’t find it hard to thread a needle by yourself.
Button sewing foot. If you don’t sew uniform or blouses a lot, you can easily do without this feature and sew on the buttons manually.
Must-have functions
Built-in light. As a rule, most machines contain it, however, it’s better to make sure the model you choose has it. Even if the room you sew in is very light, the machine itself can cast shadow upon the working area, so the lighting might be very useful.
Seam scale marks. Some machines have scale marks on them. They can be plotted on the side of the machine, or, which is more convenient, the scale can be marked on the front of the needle plate. The numbers on the needle plate indicate the distance from the needle, so even a beginner can make equal stitches.
Buttonhole foot. Buttonholes finished manually look sloppy and can spoil even faultlessly sewed garment, so this feature is a must.
Zipper foot. A zipper foot is standard equipment with almost all sewing machines. You’ll need it to apply concealed zipper or sew along areas that may have more bulk on one side than the other.
Reverse stitch. Most sewing machines have a reverse-stitch feature that allows you to back up over stitches you previously made without moving the fabric. It secures your seams, and is an easy way to ensure that your project won’t be ruined because of unraveled stitches.
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Now let’s have a look at the models of sewing machines available on the market. The best selection of sewing machines for novice and experienced sewists are offered by Janome, Brother and Singer. Singer are reputable sewing machines with a long history (even now mechanical century old Singer machines sew excellently). However, there’s no reason to overpay for the brand, as Janome and Brother also allow to do a good work. Price difference among the items is from $90 to $2500 as for Janome Memory Craft 6600—a real sewing computer. Of course, it would be difficult for a novice to handle such an elaborate device, and there might be no need to do it, because inexpensive models have all the necessary features.
Let’s compare three popular offers from amazon.com
After comparing the characteristics, we can see that all three machines have many necessary features. The weight is enough for safe sewing process. The size allows you to stitch bulk fabrics and garments. All of them include a range of presser feet, buttonhole finish feature, a reverse stitch. They all can make a number of necessary stitches including basic, zigzag and blind stitch. Janome Blue Couture has less number of stitches than Brother XM2701, although it is equipped with the arm-free feature, the same as Singer Heavy duty 4423. They all can be good enough for beginners and for advanced sewers.
All in all, final choice depends on you. Choose a machine from a well-known brand and you will use it for years. For professional sewing, it’s recommended to buy an overlock serger.
Janome Blue Couture
Janome Blue Couture Easy-to-Use Sewing Machine with Interior Metal Frame, Bobbin Diagram, Tutorial Videos, Made with Beginners in Mind!
Overview Features:
15 Built-In Stitches, 4-Step Buttonhole, Front-Loading Bobbin System, Heavy Duty Interior Metal Frame
Brother Sewing Machine, XM2701, Lightweight Sewing Machine with 27 Stitches, 1-Step Auto-Size Buttonholer, 6 Sewing Feet, Free Arm and Instructional DVD
Versatile Free Arm Sewing Machine:
The Brother XM2701 27-stitch free arm sewing machine is perfect for a wide range of everyday sewing projects, and users from beginners to advanced
27 Unique Built-in Stitches:
This machine includes decorative, blind hem, zigzag, and stretch stitches as well as other built-in stitches
6 Quick-change Sewing Feet:
The XM2701 includes 6 quick-change sewing feet, with buttonhole, zipper, narrow hemmer, blind stitch, zigzag and button sewing
Jam-resistant:
The Brother XM2701 features a jam-resistant drop-in top bobbin, a brightly lit LED work area, 27 stitches, and 63 stitch functions
25-year Limited Warranty:
This machine includes an instructional DVD, a bilingual user manual, and FREE technical support for the life of the product
SINGER | Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine
SINGER | Heavy Duty 4423 Sewing Machine with 23 Built-In Stitches -12 Decorative Stitches, 60% Stronger Motor & Automatic Needle Threader, Perfect for Sewing all Types of Fabrics with Ease
Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine:
The 23 built-in stitches including basic, stretch, decorative, and buttonhole stitches allow you to sew a variety of projects, such as fashions, home décor, quilts, crafts, and more
Automatic Needle Threader Sewing Machine:
After following the threading path printed right on the machine, this built-in feature helps you to effortlessly thread the eye of the needle without eye strain or frustration
High-speed Sewing Machine:
The Singer 4423 Sewing Machine has a maximum sewing speed of 1, 100 stitches-per-minute, so projects can be sewn quickly. The 60% Stronger Motor provides greater piercing power for thick seams
Heavy Duty Metal Frame:
The Singer 4423 heavy duty sewing machine is a true workhorse. With a heavy-duty metal interior frame, stainless steel bedframe, extra-high sewing speed and powerful motor, this sewing machine can sew through a variety of heavy weight fabrics and provides long lasting stability
Sewing Machine Accessories:
A variety of accessories are included with All-purpose foot, zipper foot, buttonhole foot, button sewing foot, seam ripper/lint brush, quilting guide, needles, bobbins, screwdriver, auxiliary spool pin, spool pin felt are all conveniently located and stored in the accessory tray. A soft-sided dust cover is also included in the packaging
Warranty:
SINGER 4423 Heavy Duty Portable Sewing Machine has 25 Year Limited Warranty
